thickening
Tissue Swelling
Plain-language definition
Abnormal increase in tissue thickness, often detected on OCT. Retinal thickening typically indicates fluid accumulation or inflammation.
Where this term comes up
“Swelling and thickening of the meninges”
Condition · Optic Perineuritis
“OCT of a cotton-wool spot shows hyperreflective thickening of the retinal nerve fiber layer that gradually thins as the spot resolves, often leaving a depression in the nerve fiber layer where it used to be.”
Finding · Cotton-Wool Spots
“Thickening suggests swelling - seen in papilledema and acute disc edema”
- Category
- Condition, finding, or disease process
- Also written as
- No alternate forms listed.
Pathology terms describe diseases, tissue changes, exam findings, or complications that can affect vision or eye comfort.
Related glossary terms
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.